Category: POLITICS

  • Doing it in such a way that people cannot but notice

    Doing it in such a way that people cannot but notice

    In honour of International Womens Day, we here and BTS head office look at some of those who have made sporting strides on the local, national and international stage… NINA CARBERRY (WALSH) MEP: The only possible place this celebratory journey could  begin. Enshrined her name in Irish sporting history when becoming the first lady rider…

  • Caffeine, a calculator, a cart load of nostalgia and a catastrophic lack of sleep

    Caffeine, a calculator, a cart load of nostalgia and a catastrophic lack of sleep

    That, ladies and gents, is an armchair view of and a survival kit for the rigors of an Irish General Election. He says as he begins keyboarding this piece at 2:28am on a Monday night/Tuesday morning. All a guilty pleasure. In one of life’s great contradictions, you’d have thought the introduction of E-Voting machines would’ve…

  • Dynasties re-ignited, some others broken and bullsh** bubbles burst

    Dynasties re-ignited, some others broken and bullsh** bubbles burst

    Politics can be a dangerous business.  There was a time the threat only came from nosey curiosity, jealousy and political point scoring. Now, though, there is a clear and present danger to not only politicians themselves, but their spouses, families and homes. Already this year we have seen bomb scares at the home of Justice…

  • The seismic Irish political development of the current era

    The seismic Irish political development of the current era

    There are occurrences in world history which – no matter how long may have passed since them – (a) you will never forget where you were when they happened and (b) will remain part of public discourse long after they actually happen. Now, part a of the above may not apply in this case, but…

  • John Bruton

    John Bruton

    I have absolutely no doubt some eyes will pop out of heads – certainly locally and perhaps further afield – that what appears hereafter was produced by the occupant of this seat. Now read on… That’s OK. However, there could never be a better or more apt illustration of the foibles of judging a book…

  • Damien P. O’Reilly 1983-2023

    Damien P. O’Reilly 1983-2023

    My late father always reckoned Tom Yourell was one of the best judges of character he ever came across. In other words, if the nearest I ever knew to a grandfather got a vibe about someone, time would usually prove him to be right. It’s something I’d like to think I’ve inherited from the old…

  • Freddie Mercury could see what some still can’t

    Freddie Mercury could see what some still can’t

    “Is this the world we created, we’ve made it on our own. Is this the world we devastated, right to the bone? If there’s a God, what must he think of what we’ve done, to the world that he created? “ I think the first line quoted above was the title of the moving number…

  • Mrs Phil Leonard – R.I.P.

    Mrs Phil Leonard – R.I.P.

    I was so very sad to hear of the passing of Phil Leonard yesterday. I first got to know Noel properly at the time of the 1999 Local Elections and have been privileged to visit their home on numerous occasions over the years since. Like their late neighbour Vincent Poleon, the fact the wheelchair couldn’t…

  • Truss throws in the towel as political chaos continues

    Truss throws in the towel as political chaos continues

    BREAKING NEWS In one of the biggest political undressings in history, Liz Truss has bowed to the inevitable and resigned as British Prime Minister just 44 days after getting her seal of office from Queen Elizabeth II in the latter’s final official duty before her death. The erstwhile Conservative Leader was beset by controversy and…

  • Without Trimble’s courage peace might never be

    Without Trimble’s courage peace might never be

    Almost immediately after it was announced that Colm O’Rourke was the preferred choice of Meath’s power brokers to assume the role of county senior football manager, thoughts turned to next year’s National Football League. Specifically, what ‘Colm O’Rourke’s Meath’ will look like, in personnel and style of football. Which in itself builds excited anticipation for…